Saturday, December 26, 2009

"The Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival (Chinese: 冬至; Pinyin: dōng zhì; "The Extreme of Winter") is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the Dongzhi solar term (winter solstice) on or around December 22 when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest." via wikipedia.

This special festival is on December 22 this year, there were hordes of people at the restaurant of dumplings that day in north China, they might eat Tangyuan in the south China, but some old native people in Beijing would like Huntun or wonton, the dumplings in soup.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

"Born in the 1970s", written by Xu Zhiyuan. I just read little pages of this book, so I know nothing about it, but the book remember me another book, the name is "Fire and Ice", the book is written by Yu Jie, another Peking University graduate.

"Ant Family", or "Ant tribe" written by Lian Si. This book is about the real life of low-income college graduates, they are "80 after" generation, live with poor conditions.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

An old man built a bird's nest on the ground in the park, which was built with fallen branches of pine. After finish of building, he stood in the nest for practicing station of Taiji, so this pile of fallen branches was not a bird's nest, in his opinion it should be Yin Yang Yu, he practiced in the yin yang yu, he could get the better Kong Fu.

Today the cleaner cleaned up the fallen branches and leaves in the park, they also took the bird's nest away. I didn't meet the old man, he may be angry.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The house I rented has four individual rooms and spacious and well-lighted parlor, four young guys have his own personal room and share the public space.

I live in the room at the nearby parlor. The room has enough space for a single man, but a little confined for two people. The room has a north window, though the window faces north, the room is full of sunshine. Why? Because two building stand behind the storied building which I live, the glasses of upstairs balcony reflect the sunshine to the opposite building. One brings bright sunshine to me in the morning, another gives the light and heat of the sun in the afternoon. So it sounds great, the room with a north window is full of sunshine each sunny day.

I could number the stars in the north sky at night, and enjoy sunshine in the daytime through the north window.

Monday, December 14, 2009

It sounds crazy, I got up at 3 am this morning, not for football match, not for work.

It's vagarious. Got up so early, then went to the park. The park was undisturbed, no man there. The trees bowed down their heads, the wind was passing by. The light from far building was misty, I could sea nothing at first, after ten minutes, I adapted to the faint gleam of light.

It's still dark at 5 am, but more and more people appeared in the park, they were running, or enjoying the peaceful rest time. At 6 am, the sky didn't turn to white and I left the park.

What do you eat everyday? Which foods you like best at breakfast, lunch, dinner?What about noodles every meals? You may think I am crazy, eating noodles every meals? But really, noodles three times a day, noodles in soup at breakfast, noodles with sauce at lunch, noodles at dinner too. Many people in west of China love noodles, live on noodles, and can't live without noodles. They may dislike rice, if they don't eat noodles, the bread is their first choice.

I am not tired of eating noodles, even three times a day, but I must have different noodles every meal, the spaghetti, the French noodles, Zhajiang Mian, La Mian, Che Mian, and so on.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Chipmunks like grain, nuts, eggs, fungi, vegetables and fruits, so do I. But they also like worms, insects, and small frogs, these foods don't exist in my diet.

I have downloaded more than twenty films from the nets, which I really wanted to watch; I have gotten more than one hundred books in my computer; I have downed downloaded more than ten G songs through p2p tools. A lot of these things have been collected and kept in some places, and I don't watch, read, listen them any more. I just stockpile, like a chipmunk, when spring come, I just eat little nuts.

I collect the things for stock, not for enjoying, reading, listening, just for stock.

I have noticed this fault, but can't remedy. I think I am voracious, not for the truth, the knowledge, information, but for the numbers.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

You may know the words "made in China" on your cups, plates, clothes, household appliances, toys, and, and so on, but do you know the words "Ma de in China"?

"Ma de" is a slang words for "shit","damn", even "fuck", used to express annoyance. "Made in China" is all English word, and "ma de" are Chinese Pinyin, just divide the word "made" into two pinyin words "ma" and "de", the Chinese characters are "妈的".

"Made in China" means low price, cheap goods, also fake goods. "Ma de in China" just means a lot of inconceivable things that happened in China, eg the Great Fire Wall, Feng zhenghu, "Chengguan", "removal",etc.

Friday, December 4, 2009

The Grand Canyon National Park is a miracle place, if you haven't visited there, you'd better enjoying the photos of them first, you may be shocked.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk, the Colorado River, Angels Window...

There is one article that I read tonight, "Love of the canyon", this article was written in Chinese, with plenty of pictures and each picture with detailed explanation. If u don't understand Chinese, u can read here.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Life is waiting at the terminal. Stuck in Tokyo airport for 29 days, "a Chinese citizen who exposed corruption, helped the poor and has been denied entry into China 8 times by the Chinese authorities", Feng Zhenghu waits at the terminal, without healthy food and hot bath, lies on the waiting bench at night.

Today I read all his articles on his website, those words that described with emotion shocked me, I will pay close attention to his news via Twitter.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Though I am in China now, the Internet can tell me more true things which haven't been mentioned on TV or in newspaper.

Feng Zhenghu, a Chinese citizen and Shanghai resident, also a well-known human rights activist, was refused exit by airport authorities at Shanghai Pudong Airport on November 2nd,2009. then he was escorted to Japan, Mr Feng refused to enter Japan, he remained in the Arrival of Terminal One, and he insisted on his right of backing home.

With the help of others, Feng can visit twitter, and write and post articles on his website now, he has hoarded one month food and insist his right to back home.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Last night was a crazy night, I watched football matches from 9:30 pm to 4 am this morning. These matches were Liverpool vs Everton, Arsenal vs Chelsea, Barcelona vs Real Madrid. Though three matches in one night, it made me tired, the result of the Arsenal's match made me more gloomy.

Arsenal lost the game against Chelsea, and the score was 0:3. The keyman of the matches were Didier Drogba and the former gunner Ashley Cole. The gunners seemed did well during the match, but the result was gloomy. I felt that Chelsea was like strong man of age 28 and Arsenal was like young man age of 21, we are young, but not sharp, not strong enough.

Now we are 11 points behind Chelsea, we still have a lot of matches to play. We must go on, come on the Arsenals.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

There are many quite curious internet user in China, and there are great sensation every few weeks.

Before Mr. Obama left china, a lot of photos appeared in BBS, the words like "girl in black behind Obama" became the popular keyword in search engines. Now It doesn't matter to Mr president, the keywords become form "beauty in black beside Obama" to "Wang Zifei" or "photo of Wang Zifei". Yes, the powerful human-powered search have gotten the real information of the girl, the human-powered search also calls as human flesh search, this strong search engine is used in many times in China now.

I am not sure whether it's a Speculation, so let's wait and see what happens. If u want to see the photos of Wang Zifei, please click here.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I am bemused by the waste of time and the status of my current life. I try to read and write in English, try to know more by reading from Google Reader, try to practice Taiji more often, and try to earn money from the nets.

Several weeks ago, I wrote an entry "How to manage my time". The problem is still alive, I must try to solve it.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I felt a loss of identity in practicing Taiji today. I wanted to relax, also I wanted to push the companion away. It's a incompatible thing now. Although I know that I must practice more, still I am encompassed with doubts.

I should use little power or no power to send the partner away, first I need to perceive the power of the partner, then follow his strength. When I perceive, I should relax my body. So the key is that how to relax? I have searched several ways to relax, but I am not sure about these methods.

Monday, November 23, 2009

The student asked the president of the United States "Should we be able to use Twitter freely?" "let me say that I have never used Twitter. My thumbs are too clumsy to type things on the phone," Obama answered. Though he added something later, but it's a cunning reply.

Twitter, Facebook, Blogger are all completely blocked in China, sometimes includes the Myspace, flickr, wikipedia, and so on. The government uses the Great Firewall to fetter the access to the Internet.

I can access Twitter via proxy servers, but without the proxy servers, I could do little thing freely. The Wall is there, Twitter is outside of the wall, I am inside. I don't hope that the words of the foreign leader can change the present situation, but it will be changed someday.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Dave: So tell us Mark, now at the very end - what was your secret? How did you get all them girls?

Mark: Simple. Don't say anything at all.

Young Carl: Nothing?

Mark: Nothing. Then, when the tension becomes too much to bear, you finally, finally, you just say: "How about it, then?"

As you know, the above words is from the memorable quotes for "The Boat That Rocked". If u haven't seen this movie, you don't know what I mean. The movie is about an illegal rock radio station on board in 1960's, keywords to the movie are: boat, sex, lesbian sex, music, dancing, drunk, unknown father, and so on.

"How about it, then" may be useful for our single man, we are awkward in tryst with girls. Using the words like Mark's, we may have a good time.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Yesterday the president of the United States visited the Great Wall in Beijing. Here is the news.

Although I live in the city of Beijing for nearly ten years, I haven't visited the Great Wall, especially the famous iconic site, the Badaling section. Why don't I travel the place? I don't know now. When I was young boy, If I had a chance to visit the capital, the second place was the Great Wall, the Tian An Men Square was the first place. I really don't know why I haven't visited the Great Wall.

Nowadays when I see the words "the wall", the first meaning is the Great Fire Wall, then the Berlin Wall, the last is the Great Wall. It seams that I don't like the wall, maybe.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

It's difficult to find the comfort station in most public area in the city of Beijing. Although I am a young man who is quite familiar with a lot of places, sometimes I am in trouble with the urgency of micturition, I can't find a rest room, so I jump and jump in desperation.

In most super market, shopping plaza or university, it's really easy to reach the rest room with the well signpost. If u can't find the place that u want to go, just ask the passing guys.

When u in the strange street, it is fairly hard to find the toilet. The symbol of toilet may be not obvious, and only the local people know where it is. Even there is no public conveniences in this street, you may go to the one in next street. Also there is no rest room in some communities, even no the latrine, people do the things in their home, so no latrine there.

If u can't find the toilet, remember asking the old people first, the old men are warm and local, they will tell u a detailed guide to the rest room. Then if you notice the KFC(Kentucky Fried Chicken) or Mcdonald's nearby, go into to resolve your problem, It's really common to urinate in these fast-food restaurant for young guys. At the last you still find no toilet, and you are male, find a secluded spot under the wall or behind a tree to pass your water.

Monday, November 16, 2009

It's a famous and special place which sells the chestnut roasted with sugar, the roasted seeds and nuts. Here is the map. People go to buy the seeds and nuts everyday, and must wait in line every time.

The day before yesterday we went to the shop and bought some hot chestnuts. It's a long and hardness journey to reach there, because of the terrible traffic, we spent nearly one hour on driving there. We waited in line in the cold wind, we stamped our feet and twisted our body to warm, standing in the cold weather for nearly 40 minutes, we got our hot chestnut.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

What is a Snowy Hat? It's the snow that covering the top of the car, though it has been several sunny two since snowing, for I didn't clean the snow at once, now the snow is freezing on the top of my small car and I can't clean the firn away.

So these days when I drove out, I must carry the snowy hat above my car. Apparently a special car, isn't it?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Yesterday I lay down nearly the whole day. After breakfast I took the medicine, hot water, then lay in the bed, covered with thick quilt which made me warm and sweaty. I waked at the lunch time, the hot water and the warm bed made me perspiring, so that I felt better that time. After lunch, I slept again.

Catching a cold is really a terrible thing, fortunately I recovery now. Taking the medicine, and Confining to bed, both are the important way to recovery.

By the way, I wanted to write something about the Sesame Street yesterday, because I didn't know that until noticing the new google logo on November 10, but I had to stayed in bed.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I am taking my temperature now, it is the forth time today. It's a bit little hot in the morning, about 37.2 centigrade. I know that I was unlucky to catch a cold these days, especially during the period that the H1N1 flu is rampant all over the world. Though the government has already declared that citizens can get the H1N1 vaccine completely free, I have not take the vaccine yet.

I don't know the symptoms of H1N1, but I am sure that I am just catching a cold now, i haven't got a running nose, no coughing, just a sore throat. I have taken medicine already, the aspirins, the radix isatidis.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Yesterday morning it sleeted with the thunder rumbled for a few hours, the ground became wet, then it stopped and was cloudy in the afternoon.

I went to bed early last night, so i didn't notice the snow outside. When I twitched the curtain in the early morning, the bright light under the sun had surprised me, all the world outside became white, the snow had a thickness of the length of my middle finger. It was said that it snowed with the thunder last night, snowed with thunder, it's a very phenomenon, this is the first time I knew it.

People walked slowly in the snowfield, also they put on dark glasses as a protection against the strong light. The leaves were still on the tree, and also the firn in the tree.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

I haven't updated for several days, include the weekend, the crazy Saturday and the rapid Sunday. Though the Saturday went by like lightning, I still dislike the weekend these days.

My last post mentioned the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the amazing views photos of the bridge, the bridge seems like the bridge to heaven and it really crosses high to the clouds. In this post i just want to post one link which discusses some information of San Francisco bridge.

"Fame, fortune and the Golden Gate Bridge": "The Golden Gate Bridge is the oldest, longest, tallest single span bridge in the United States", why does it so special? The more longer bridge is the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge, but why the Golden Gate Bridge is more popular than the Bay Bridge. The author lists seven items, such as "Golden Gate Bridge is an icon", "Walking, running and biking across the bridge", the difference between the Marin County and the Alameda County. It's not a long article, but has plenty of useful information.

The bridge is a San Francisco icon, when you travel the city, please remember visiting the special bridge, Wish you have a wonderful trip there.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

"San Francisco Trip Highlights": Five pictures about the St. Dominic's Catholic Church, the Golden Gate Bridge, St. Raphael the Archangel Mission. I like the photos of the bridge specially, "amazing views", the bridge on the photo looks like a dreamlike bridge to the sky, especially when the bridge crosses the mist wreathed the hillside. Great photos!

"San Francisco, CA. Oct 2009": Several pictures about the street of the city, men standing outside on the cable car, the cool red Mustang, the colorful street life, the dim upside down guy, also the Golden Gate.

All the photos in the above links are fresh to me, the one even don't know "Where is the San Francisco". As the old saying goes, "I will be there" someday. Have a cheery Friday.

David was referred in my post "Why We Speak in Different Language", yes, the guy came from the United States. He left here at 5 am this morning, he may sit at home in the city of San Francisco now. I want to know more about this elder guy, who doesn't care how much time he spent on studying Taiji, and he really loves it.

I talked with David by using my poor English in the park during practicing Taiji, he studied several years here, but he didn't tell me the exact numbers, just more than five years. I don't ask his full name, for usually we talked little, we practiced with different man, also i was a beginner and David was good enough.

Where is San Francisco? The elder man comes from the remote city, he comes and studies in YuanDadu Relics Park every year. This time he stayed about three weeks, had a wonderful time here, for the city is his home, he can't stay here too long.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

I would like to say “Happy Halloween” to all of you on Halloween, but i had no time to write some words down and update. When u enjoyed your "trick or treat" day, i lounged with friends in the first now in Beijing.

It was a heavy snow, and so early that the leaves still on the tree. The day before the snow day I had climbed the Mang mountain, i was sure that it's a nice time, beautiful autumn, but the next day the world was filled up with snow. What a crazy weather.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Yesterday i went to Mang Mountain National Forest Park with my friend, the park is located in the east to the Ming Tombs Reservoir in Changping District, Beijing, China, and nearly 40 kilometers from the urban area.

We got up lately at the Saturday morning, and left home after breakfast about 9 am. We went to the hill by bus. First we wait the bus 345 kuai(345 express) at the Mudanyuan East station, because it's long bus road nearly one hour, we waited for the bus which had empty seats. After missing two buses, we got on our bus and took our seats, but passed two stations i sent my seat to an old woman. One hour later, we reached the last station Chaofeng'an Village. The mountain stood in front of us, but we still spent ten Yuan on taking a unlicensed vehicle so that we could climb the hill from the lane which is found by the local people, and we could save the money of our entrance tickets.

It was the folden time to climbing the hill, there were plenty of trees with red leaves, when the wind blew, when we passed, the leaves both on the tree and on the ground sent out a rustle sound. The road was little wet, but not slippery. We overlooked the Ming Tombs Reservoir, appreciated the views on the hillside.

We met some guys on our way to the top and climbed up together. On the top of mountain, we saw the artificial lake of heaven in the distance, the observation tower unfinished, and groups of people had their simple lunch at the foot of the tower. We crossed the gate beside the tower, arrived the man-made lake of heaven, walked around the pond for a moment, then down the hill.

The way to the foot of mountain was full of steps, i hated the kind of road, i complained for my knees. When we passed the entrance gate, we went on the wrong road to the bus station, we walked far away before asked a local woman. Finally we got the our way and bought a lot of apples from the apple orchard on the roadside.

The traffic of our return was so terrible, we spent more time than we had expected, we felt tired when we got off the bus, and we reached home at 7 pm.

The Mang Mountain is a good quiet place for climbing, i will go there again next year, maybe i can ride on my bike not by bus.

Friday, October 30, 2009

There are two special guys studying Taiji in the park, both them understand little Chinese, one guy comes from the United States, the other from Hongkong. The Hongkong man can speak in Guangdong language, but he could not understand what we say in Putonghua.

When Shifu teaches some action or trick, the two guys need others' help to understand the meaning, fortunately there are several people can speak in English, they could tell them the meaning or translate all the words. An old man, we call him Xiong Shifu or little bear, have studied here one year more, he knows both Guangdong language and common language.

Seems an interesting phenomenon. I remember that i talked with an old man who spoken the local patois in Zhejiang, China in the railway station, i spoke in Putonghua, he understood what i said, but when he said in his dialect, i don't know instead, finally we talk in English that we were not good at. It's really interesting. Almost every language in the world has dialect, I only know Queen's English. Can i travel the world easily just by speaking English?

I was shocked to the videos above, and could say in no word. Oh, God bless me! Is that true? Is it a really place? Is anyone went there before? Yes, It seams Heaven. Continue to enjoy the top link in the post. Crazy place, all white, all salt!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

It's October now, and the November will come soon. In my crowded room, i must sit on my bed to read and write with my ThinkPad R50, yes, it's an old computer now, but it's great, it's the world for me.

In order to use the PC more cozily, i bought a desk which could stand on the bed, especially designed for using computer. It's folding desk, with retractable legs, and it's made of bamboo. It seems wonderful.

I spent seventy-five Yuan on it, about $10. Here is the link, one of the businessman web pages, i just want u to know the desk. I will tell u more about the bamboo desk on my narrow bed.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Vancouver "is a coastal city and major seaport located in the Lower Mainland of southwestern British Columbia, Canada."(via wikipedia)

"VANCOUVER TRIP": A lot of pictures about the city of Vancouver, the Granville Island, Stanley Park, Gastown Steam Clock, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain, also photos shot with her friends, and beautiful views there.

"Vancouver trip: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly": It's a long post, but with detailed words and nicer photos. Many photos about planes, because the author is an aviation nerd. It's easy to know the good thing is the Vancouver is a wonderful city, they enjoyed many sights and good eats, and the bad thing is that his wife could stay longer but his visit was too brief, he wished to stay longer too. What's the ugly thing, u must read it yourself :)

"Vancouver Picture Closeout": several photos shared by a strong and fun man, about the Gastown area, funny pictures and really a interesting person.

I haven't updated for nearly four days, my last post is "Road Trip to Chicago" written in October 21. Though i didn't go out for work these days, i had no time to read more English posts with the search engine. Where was my time, who stole my time away?

I spent two hours in the park to study Taiji Quan with Zhang Shifu(Master Zhang) in the morning, usually from half past nine to 12 am, and took two hours from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm again to practice. These days I got up at about 7:30 am, and went to bed at about ten thirty at night. Seemed that i still had lots of time to read and write, but i didn't got. The time didn't belong to me, but where was the owner?

I went to solve this problem, i just read something about time, manage time. One book named "Take the time as friend(把时间当做朋友)" was written by Xiaolai Li, i am reading this book recently, and try to manage my time reasonably. I can't promise, but i will do my best.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Road trip in China means u must have more money, more free time, and what i don't know now. The toll-gates on the highway is the greedy snakes, u may cost great money to them, the charge may outstrip the money that spend on petrol. More free time means that common people in China don't often travel, they stay with family, work, even weekend as usual. Especially in holidays, people may go ti the suburban district with families and friends, but if they go to the other city, the train is the first choice.

"Brody's First Road Trip-Chicago!": The couple with their little baby Brody drove to their old stomping ground, the city of Chicago. The post contains lots of photos, shot with their friends. They visited the childhood friend, met the typical Chicago traffic. The man was taken to the race track in Jolette IL to race, they went out to the bar and had a typical Chicago style, it was said that this "a city that doesn't go to bed until way after 3am". At the end they back to Minneapolis with the bad traffic. Still a great fun trip.

"Road Trip! Chicago": they went to the Museum of Science and Industry, and visited for free. Had their lunch with friend at the Puerco en Mole Coloradito, they met a famous person Rick Bayless, who is a chef in Chicago known for Mexican/Spanish influenced dishes. The author gave up the opportunity taking a picture with him. There are some delicious food's photos in the post, and a comment talking about free parking near the museum.

I think that it would be great for me to travel the city Chicago by bike someday, wish it become soon. But if i live nearby once, i will drive to there too.

Monday, October 19, 2009

The city of Chicago, the Windy City, is the largest city in the Illinois state, and the third largest city in the United States. Let's read something about one day life from the people who lived there.

"A Day in Sweet Home Chicago": posted by a mother, with her lovely child's photos. First she got the handsome kid from preschool, then off to the Greek printer's for the girls' baptism. After that they went to "Barba Yiannis in Lincoln Square" and went home, the photos shot on the way.

I got two day-life post one hour ago, but one was written by a passer, so just one "A Day in Chicago". I can't comment to Arizona's post for the network reason. Sorry, When i can reach my blog directly, i will comment under your post. Thanks!

It's windy here these days, sometime light, sometime strong. The wind was so powerful that it destroyed many trees in the park last night, the broken branches could been seen everywhere. The winds in Beijing are famous both in Spring and Autumn, the two short seasons, also the two beautiful seasons.

I want to get some articles of traveling in Chicago, so i could know more about the city, but not now, please view the pictures from google image of Chicago first, trips to the windy city will be shown later.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

It's quite different for me to travel over the net, because i'm in China. I can't visit the blogger.com directly, also many sites out of the mainland. When i want to get in my blog, i must connect with proxy servers, proxy tools, or through some online proxy sites.

But how could i read and write without proxy? I use the search engine, like google, bing.com, ask.com, search and read the cached page, and then write some something in Gmail or in Google docs. Thanks to the blogger.com and google, I could read and write, travel around over the nets.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

I haven't updated for a few days, and my pc's desktop system has broken, i just could not help reading under the terminal, and explored the internet by using w3m. I had removed the desktop "gnome" and "xfce" on my computer impetuously, then gnome or xfce can't be installed for several reason, and i can't resolve this problem now. Perhaps i will try to correct the issue and return to xubuntu-desktop, or will find a new desktop for my computer under the system of Ubuntu, and or will install new system withe Ubuntu 9.10.

If u have good idea to deal with this, please make me know. Thank you. XD.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Kasab is a "Syrian border town located in Latakia Governorate (Muhafazat al Ladhiqiyah) north west of the country", "belongs to Latakia District (Arabic for Latakia district); one of the governorate's four Manatiq", is "at 800 meters above sea level in the middle of a dense coniferous Mediterranean forest", "is 65 kilometers from Latakia, 3 kilometers from the Turkish border, and 17 kilometers from the Mediterranean sea."

"Kasab Trip" on live.com: plentiful photos from Mazen Haffar, about mountain, ocean, sunrise or sunset, setting sail into the blue, seamed a great trip there.

"A Trip to the Mountain": they drove a Korean-made car, and twisted on the mountain road, they stopped for a while, felt the "absolute silence fell upon" them. The author's eyes "blinked incontrollably" to "adjust to a view so overwhelmed with colors", also the gorgeous sunrise. Then he talked about the strange senses by the wilderness. It is "a picture so calm it’s almost frozen in time and place, yet it’s so alive it could erupt in revolt without notice." This article is a bit little difficult to me to understand, it like a prose, so you'd better read it and sense it directly.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

I said in my last post, i would show something different from museum trips in Glasgow, now it's quite different travel.

"Glasgow格拉斯哥(2) 逛市場": The author said that it is the best way to close the city by traipsing in the markets, so she had shot while traipsed in one of the biggest and olddest market in Glasgow, as a young girl it was a wonderful travel in the market. We can follow her steps marketing on flickr.

"A Note on Glasgow": strangest place the writer had visited, people "talks like they have a mouth full of haggis", and the city "has a great vibe". But at dusk the city became "feral and intimidating", young men prowled in the street, and the bar with punching machine. Though, it's a lovely city again next day.

"Life in Glasgow": Several pictures in the post, about the outside and inside of the hotel that the writer lived in, the subway, and and just these photos.

Friday, October 9, 2009

"Nietzsche's Wee Trip to Glasgow (written by Nietzsche, translated by Ceri Jones)": A philosopher's wee trip to the important city in Scotland. First a suitably arduous train journey to the fair city of Glasgow, and the first evening tasted the best of the city's beers and a sumptuous meal. The second day traveled to St Mungos and the People's Palace Museum. Visited to the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, then the Museum of Transport, and the Glasgow School of Art and Bellow at Saturday. On Sunday they made their way to a hilltop cemetery overlooking the city, appreciated the magnificent views. In short, fun museum trip to Glasgow.

"Glasgow Trip Part I": A long post with a lot of pictures, the subway they took, the Mackintosh House with nude portrait, the University of Glasgow's Red Telephone Booth, the Hunterian Museum, and the statue of ISAAC NEWTON, and it's really long article showed in purple words.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, but the two posts above all talk about the museum or the university. Are there some special trips to the third most populous city in the United Kingdom? May be in my next post.

"Havasu falls: continued": The post begins with shot of a new waterfall caused by the flood, then the Havasu Falls, and Mooney Falls, at last referred to their "great trip" summarily.

"Where the Wild Things Are: Havasu Falls": Hiking in the dark was so great, the author told things not to do, and things should do of hike. During the hiking, they tackled the cliff, reached the brighter blue water, unreal place, like he said "it’s something out of a Lost Boys Neverland fantasy, a lagoon-like world where all the words you know for colors seem suddenly inadequate", you can swim in the water, the waterfall is "the ultimate childhood fantasy".

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

"Berlin Trip": First following a photographer, he showed his especial photo trip, Brandenburg gate, posters, several people, Government building, etc.

"Recent trip to Berlin": A weekend trip to Berlin by Amanda, she liked Science Fiction but buried in a thriller, she posted two pictures of the best ice cream and a cute plane made of soft lead from the Hamburgerbahnhof gallery.

"My trip to Berlin, Germany": Exactly describing his trip with concrete number of money, the tel number of their hotel and the cafe where they had dinner. It may be great useful to people who want to travel the city recently.

Berlin is the capital city of Germany. Berlin also is the largest city and one of sixteen states of Germany, and is a major center of culture, politics, media, and science in Europe. Read more and more here.

"Berlin Trip": "History is everywhere in Berlin", the article begins with the Berlin Wall, after that the Checkpoint Charlie, the author said "it was a good opportunity to feel a little bit of history of a separated Germany", then the history of holocaust, discussion of Holocaust Memorial. He said he like the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, they walked down the Brandenburg Gate one evening. It's really a history trip, a history city.

"A city in 140 symbols: Berlin": Special Special post, I'm not sure whether he described his tip with these little words. But it's about Berlin, and the city is comfortable for living.

"The Berlin Wall": only 5 photos were posted by the author with no words there.

"ruminations on berlin.": When the author crossed the Checkpoint Charlie, he just walked through, but his parents and his sister crossed from east Berlin to west Berlin twenty-nine years ago was another situation. If u read this article, please notice the bolder words.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

People are all photographers while traveling. Today there are three trips to Mohnok Mountain House, All of posts are a lot of photos with little words, it may be said as "A Picture Paints a Thousand Words" or "A picture is worth a thousand words".

"Purple garden, Mohonk": The garden theme of the Monnk Mountain House is "dark and stormy" this year, so there are lots of purple and dark reds.

"The Mohonk Mountain House", "Mohonk continued": Two posts about there vacation at the house, in the first they focused their attention on the mysterious trees, and in the second photos about lake, quay, little stone cabin, the dark red garden, etc.

"Anniversary Trip To Mohonk Mountain House": Each photo with detailed explanation to show the romantic place also their their favorite place. The mountain house, the lake surrounding, the Lily Pond, lots of pretty spots.

"The Mohonk Mountain House also known as Lake Mohonk Mountain House, is a historic American resort hotel located on the Shawangunk Ridge in Ulster County, New York. Its prominent location in the town of New Paltz is just beyond the southern border of the Catskill Mountains on the western side of the Hudson River. Two important policy conferences of domestic and international significance have taken place at the hotel." via wikipedia.

The longest distance that I have ridden is nearly 60km, it was taken between my hometown and a neighboring county seat, and I and one of my friends, rode the normal bicycle at the age of 17. A damn riding experience that time, but the pleasant memories now.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Smoky Mountains, also the Great Smoky Mountains, are a mountain range located between Tennessee and North Carolina in the southeastern United States. The mountains are best known as the home of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Why does the name derive from? The rain clouds hank like smoke in the range, and the name is commonly shortened to the Smokies.

"The Great Smoky Mountains": A cute family spent their weekend there, had rented a cabin to enjoy the beautiful scenery in and out of the park leisurely. Photos about their lovely kids, faint bear, quite a few elk, the barn with the whole in the middle, and the views of the mountains.

"Our Smoky Mountain vacation": Also about a family vacation, the couple and their toddler, nearly five solid rainy days around the park. They saw an amazing sunrise among foggy cornfields while driving through the heart of Indiana, and got lost while running out to get pizza on Monday, Tuesday they took the tram ride and had free reign of every amazing view. Wednesday was a rough one, U can read more about their last days of vacation fallow the link.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Rawa Island, also named Palau Rawa, an unspoilt coral island off the east of Johor, Malaysia, is 16 km off Mersing town, and is quite popular with tourists from Singapore and Malaysia. The island is private, owned by the Johor Sultanate. It's a paradise island, the white beaches, palm fringed, the dream blazing sunlight, a cool green, the clear lagoon.

"Palau Rawa": Like the author said, "Sun, Sea and Soft White Sands", night fishing, his wedding shoot, 4 days in the island. A irresistible place, the great wonderful trip.

"Rawa Island '09 : Island In The Sun", A series of posts about her great trip in the island, in the sun. Gorgeous views, Jumping young guys, white sand beach, blue sea. Woo, exactly faultless journey.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Basel is Switzerland's third-largest urban area, "Located in northwest Switzerland on the river Rhine". "A panoramic view of Basel, looking North from the Münster tower over Kleinbasel (smaller Basel)".

Basel, the European cultural center, the Cultural Capital of Switzerland, the University City. Almost 40 museums, the theaters stage plays, opera, and ballet, also the galleries, music stages showed. Like they say: Basel, Culture Unlimited.

Friday, September 25, 2009

The G-20 Summit held from September 24-25, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When i was browsing news through the net, i just wanted to know more about Pittsburgh, so i googled Pittsburgh, fortunately i lost little time on searching Pittsburgh, because i found Fallingwater.

Fallingwater, the residential masterpiece of great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, was designed in 1936 for the family of Pittsburgh department store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann, was named the "best all-time work of American architecture" and in 2007, it was ranked twenty-ninth on the list of America's Favorite Architecture according to the AIA.

"A trip to Falling Water": Special trip to Fallingwater, they felt that we were within a water fall before they reach the house, and the building evoked tears in her eyes, and then little discussion about the Fallingwater and Frank Lloyd Wright. At last she said "Falling Waters was one of the most beautiful gifts" that she gave to herself and her family. and "Falling Waters is exceptionally gorgeous!!". It's a exceptionally wonderful travel notes too!

"Inside of Fallingwater": The link titled by me, several photos were shot by author, bring us to the inside of the house, kitchen, parlor.

"Fallingwater is located in southwest Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands and 90 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. The home sits in a scenic, wooded setting on PA Route 381 between the quaint villages of Mill Run and Ohiopyle." We can learn from the traveler's guide on Fallingwater.org.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Saipan, Located in the Northern Mariana Islands of the South Pacific, is the largest island and capital of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Saipan is a beautiful island, the ocean, the beach, wonderful for hiking, but the battle on the island during World War II was violent and merciless, vestiges could be seen on Saipan island. We could read more about the history of Saipan in wiki.

"Wonder of Saipan": A real trip visited by a Korean girl, The Bird island and the Forbidden island was mainly talking about in the post, she used "most breathtaking view" on Bird Island. During the hiking to the Forbidden island, she referred to death, but when she reached there, she felt good.

The following blogger links to show the wonderful life on the island, maybe you will find any interesting entry.

"nelsons", a couple who "live on the little known island of Saipan", Eric & Cassandra Nelson.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I found the place while searching "Deadwood", i went to know more about Deadwood, occasionally got the word "Devils Tower". The word "devil" attracted me, what's the Devil's Tower.

Devil's Tower, (Lakota: Mato Tipila, which means “Bear Tower”), locates in the Black Hills near Hulett and Sundance in Crook County, northeastern Wyoming, USA. It was first declared "United States National Monument", so people also called as Devil's Tower National Monument. The tower is a hallowed ground for local people, but climbing the huge rock is more popular these years.

Hear is one version of the tower folklore "American Indian legends tell of six Sioux girls who were picking flowers when they were chased by bears. Feeling sorry for them, the Great Spirit raised the ground beneath the girls. The bears tried to climb the rock, but fell off, leaving their scratch marks on the sides." Well more versions here.

"Devil's Tower to Deadwood": "A full-time RVer" wrote about her journey from Devil's Tower to Deadwood which located in South Dakota. Several pictures shot there, about the tower, the wild animals, the climbers, she also posted photos about "the interesting things" Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Galiano Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands in Georgia Straight, off the British Columbia Coast, Canada, also "is known as an artist's and writer's island". "Galiabno has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers", and is a wooded island, and is very lovely with various small fancy cabins, trailers, mushroom-houses. It is mostly unnecessary driving on the island, cyclists and hikers could find it's wonderful wonderland.

"Galiano Island": They reached the island by a ferry, passingly discussed about the car alarms on the ferry rides. They had their lunch of windfall apples in friends' yard, the chomping away fawn was mentioned too. Then the author discussed the galleries on the land and the hotel. There are some lovely photos in the post.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Laomiao village, is situated in Jiangdong area, Ningbo city, Zhejiang province, China, a typical urban village in China. In Chinese, laomiao means the Old Temple, and the old temple in the village is "Zhangpu miao", stays alive now.

"初识老庙村": A local young guy shot around, to show the origin appearance of the old village. small street, old house, contrast between tall building and dilapidated dwellings, the old temple, the river, the vegetables garden, and the common life in village. Although the post was written in Chinese, u can travel the village through the pictures in post. You can click here to view the post which is translated into English.

Laomiao village is not showplace, but just a common urban village in South China.

When i was reading the book "Lust for Life", biographical novel about Vincent Van Gogh, written by Irving Stone, the first time heard about Arles. Arles city impressed me with the burning sun, sunflowers, the Yellow house, the bridge, also the old night watchman, etc.

"Arles": Posted by Peter, a retired swede living in Paris, about his second time to Arles. In this post, he told us "Arles has a long Greek, Celtic and Roman history and the city has still a number of more or less complete buildings from those but also from medieval times.", and "Arles is just to walk around the old houses and the narrow streets, just feeling the atmosphere." As a photographer, he also added lots of pictures of the fascinating place. After reading this, we can read his first trip to Arles , more photo in the post.

"Arles Van Gogh's Friends": By Sharilyn Miller, a jewelry designer, she noted the weekend car trip heading west to the Languedoc region, Arles on her way. She love the ancient, crumbling part of the building.

"The Best of Southern France: Arles!": Was written by an American student, she lived in Arles for almost two months. She completed her article with four pars, "A Different Experience", "An Ancient Influence", "Language in Arles, France", "Why I Wrote This Guide". In her eye, "Arlesiens seem to spend their days talking, laughing, and eating outdoors in antiquated cafes. Arles, France, is alive with a spirit and love of life."

Friday, September 18, 2009

"SP Road Trip: Mount Desert Island, Maine": The article begins with a photo of lobster-bake picnics, the traveler drove up from New York to the island, describes their stop and road trip. Then the author discusses the rustic and remote society, but i can't understand this paragraph.
Reading this, "The setting sun dancing before us fought for attention with the rising full moon as lobsters steamed in the pot, bringing the whole picture into clear focus and I realized what being a rusticator is really about." at the end of first day, "The boat ride home under the full moon across the bay was like sliding into a dream." poetical life, isn't?

Pictures from Mount Desert Island, Maine: A post from a guy who forced himself to relax on the island, took a plane scenic tour, stayed in a cottage right along the water of Somes Sound, on the Southwest Harbor side, also he showed photo from the Red Baron, and his dog "Bandit".

Someone said that the beautiful of Tibet can't be expressed by any photograph, u must feel it yourself. This post told about his journey of Namucuo, he, his wife, his friends, they met "2,000 square kilometers of the lake was blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, surrounded by meadows. All the colors perfectly intertwined", they felt like crying by the wonderful view. He shot lightning at dust, and they got really highland sickness that night. Read more about the journey(which is written in Chinese, but there are some beautiful photo).